Cotton enjoys visit

Bryan Munson

01/22/2008

With the addition of Barney Cotton to the Nebraska staff, many wondered how long it would take for son to follow. Ben Cotton, a 6-foot-6 and 210-pound tight end from Ames (Iowa) got a Nebraska offer weeks after his father was added to the staff and committed soon after. Cotton was in town for his official visit this past weekend and got a chance to catch up with dad.

Nebraska commitment, Ben Cotton, was in Lincoln for his official visit this past weekend. The 6-foot-6 and 210-pound tight end from Ames (Iowa) enjoyed his visit.

"It was amazing," Cotton said. "I really loved it. It was everything that I wanted and more."

Cotton came away the most impressed with Nebraska's dedication to their players to earn their degrees. Beyond that, Cotton and the rest of the visitors were really impressed with the facilities.

"Definitely the academic program. They really take pride in their players graduating and getting their players a degree."

"I was definitely impressed with all of the facilities. I think that everyone else that was there this weekend was impressed as well."

Cotton and his parents had a chance to talk about how he expects to be utilized in Lincoln. It was a bit of West Coast Offense 101 for the tight end.

"Me and Coach Shawn Watson and my parents sat down and he gave me the run down on how the offense works. He showed me how he wants to use the tight end.

"The best part about it is that the tight end is always in the passing reads and that is the best part of this offense."

How all of this worked out for the Cotton's is a little amazing. Barney goes back to where he played and coached previously and his son gets to follow in his footsteps as a play and play for dad one last time.

"We just keep thanking God. It's amazing how things work out. Nobody ever expected this and the best part about it is I get to play for him again.

"I will also be around a great group of guys. Coach Bo Pelini and Tom Osborne are two of the classiest guys out there and everyone is excited."